Halloween: A Holiday of Candy, Friends, Costume Malfunctions, and Hilarity

When I would notice the leaves beginning to change, a slight chill in the air, and the return of pumpkins to the porches in my neighborhood I knew one thing was coming:  fall.  Fall has always been my favorite season, even when I was younger.  Like every kid, I would anticipate the most important holiday of the season, Halloween of course.  It was the one day where I could get all the free candy I wanted, and dress up as someone new in a costume.  One memory that I will never forget was the year I decided to dress up like a zombie, and my brother was a mummy.  I remeber being twelve at the time, and my brother was nine.  I used an old shirt and pair of pants for my costume, that I ripped holes in and smeared dirt all over for a more zombie-like look.  I was stumped for what to use for fake blood, and then my mom suggested what seemed like a good idea, ketchup.  My brother's costume was very simple to assemble.  My mom wripped many pieces of cloth from old wrags and sheets, and wrapped my brother in them until we could only see his eyes, nose, and mouth.  Unfortunately, as the night went on, my brother's costume began to unravel.  Being the good parents that they are my mom and dad would take turns to stop before we went to the next house for our candy, and try to rewrap the unraveling cloth.  I was not having better luck with my costume, because I reeked like an overripe tomatoe from the ketchup on my costume.  Despite these minor annoyances, my brother and I still had a good time, and received a lot of candy.  Now, my family and I think that Halloween was hilarious, and we talk about it every year.

By the time I was a junior in high school, I was tired of trick or treating.  My friend Victoria felt differently, and after a lot of pleading, I agreed to go trick or treating with her.  After I arrived at Vicoria's house on Halloween, we were ready to go.  Rebecca, Victoria's neighbor and other friend, went with us.  At first, I felt embarrassed because we didn't see anybody our age trick or treating.  Vicotria and Rebecca also realized this as well, after I brought up this point to them.  Despite this, we decided that we were still going to have a good time.  It was a fun night, and we did get a lot of candy.  However, a woman that was giving us candy asked us if we were a little old to be trick or treating.  I did have a good time, and now Victoria, Rebecca, and I laugh about that night.  That night convinced me that even though Victoria was going to beg me the next year to go trick or treating with her, I was going to stay home where I belong, and hand out candy.  Maria had the right idea to stay home that night, especially since it was so cold outside.  It was extremely funny when Victoria convinced Maria to go with us, even though she did not want to come.  Halfway through the neighborhood Maria declared that it was too cold outside, trick or treating was ridiculous, and she was going home.  Rebecca, Victoria, and I were a little annoyed with Maria at the time, but now we laugh about her frustrated outburst.  It was an off year for candy, and I noticed that even though my friends and I froze our butts off outside trick or treating, we did not have much candy to show for our efforts. 

When I was little I only thought about trick or treating, and all the candy I would receive.  I did not think about the preparation from my parents that would go into my costumes every year. As I got older, I shared the feelings of frustration with my parents about what costume we should make, or buy.  Like every family, we would procrastinate choosing a costume as my brother and I got older, because the task turned into more of an annoyance than a fun activity.  My parents and I laugh now, because I began to realize their feelings of frustration as I got older of choosing a costume year after year.  Now, my parents do not have to put up with this minor annoyance, because about three years ago my brother and I came up with the perfect solution:  buy our costumes in a large size so we could wear them for a long time, and not have to shop for a new one every year.  This strategy worked perfectely, and now when my brother and I would go out with our friends, we were able to wear the same costume.  I used this strategy for the last two years that I went trick or treating, before I stopped going for good. 

Now when I think of Halloween, I think of staying home and handing out candy, and watching scary movies with my family and friends.  If I do go out, it will not be trick or treating, but a Halloween party with my friends.  Even though I think of Halloween differently now, I still enjoy this holiday every year.  I have learned to do different things on this holiday, that are still fun, but do not have to be associated with trick or treating like they were in the past.  I enjoy handing out candy, because not only do the kids get something, I get to sneak a few pieces out of the bag while I wait for the next set of trick or treaters, which is always a fun thing to do.  Another thing that I have realized about this holiday is that it started to be a lot more enjoyable after I stopped trick or treating.  I did not have to be outside in the chilly October evening, going to house after house that would end up handing out halfway-decent candy in the end.  I could stay home and be warm, while watching scary movies, and eating the candy that I bought at the store earlier in the evening.  It was also nice to not have to try to think of a new costume, which can be a major annoyance on Halloween every year.  I have learned that Halloween can still be a fun holiday, even without the trick or treating that I loved as a kid, because I can spend it with my family and friends talking, being warm, and having a good time.

Terrietopia: A Town of Advancement

The citizens in my town would be allowed to live in any type of house they wanted, but they would need to continue to take care of their houses, and yards.  Throughout my life I have driven through some neighborhoods that started out nice when I was a child, but as I have grown up they have started to become run-down, with an increase in crime.  This would be avoided in Terrietopia, because not only would everyone be required to maintain quality houses, and yards, they would be rewarded as well.  Their reward would come in the mail, every quarter of the year, so they would recieve one reward every four months.  The reward could be anything they might want, food, money, a new car, etc.  However, some rules would have to be applied, to prevent the citizens from becoming greedy, which could lead to future problems for the town.  Obtaining the resources to fulfill the needs of the citizens would be no problem, due to the towns pleasant relationship with neighboring districts, and counties.

My town would be located in a tropical region, with a warm, but not humid climate.  The sun would shine year round, which is nice for the citizens, since winter can be so cold and unpleasant.  The flag would obviously display the word Territopia!, but it would also include the following phrase:  "Once You Come, You Won't Leave".  These phrases would be displayed on a sea-green background, with a palm tree in the center, the town's signature landmark.  It is not a very big town, which will help keep the level of crime to a minimum.  This will not only keep the citizens safe, more people will want to move in, as well.  If someone were to break a law, the town's police force will immediately enforce the following:  the perpetrator will receive a written warning for the first offense, with a detailed discription of the more serious punishments for the second, and finally the third offense.  If the perpetrator refuses to act like a civilized citizen, and commits a second offense, they will not receive their reward in the mail, even if they are taking care of their property.  The third offense will not only force the perpetrator to give up this privilege, they will no longer be allowed to participate in the town's main method of communication:  suggestion boxes, which will be explained in more detail later.  Further offenses, will result in the offender being asked to leave the town, with his/her family.

Naturally, everyone will need some method of transportation.  Unfortunaetely, going through the process of buying a car can be tedious, and monotonous.  The solution in my town would be simple:  obtain new types of cars from neighboring towns, and districts.  However, they must pass an inspection by the town's car/home inspectors, to ensure that the citizens are receiving the important safety, and quality they deserve in the product.  In addition to transportation, every good town needs places for entertainment, and eating.  Instead of the standard restaurants and malls, which can become boring after a while, I would try to build them with new improved features for my citizens.  For example, instead of having to walk from store to store in the malls, I would have automatic moving ramps under the shoppers feet, to get them where they needed to go faster.  This would not only save them time, but they will be happier as well.  Restaurants would still have servers, but the food would be cooked twice as fast due technological advances.  Food would be available in capsule form, and could be transfomed from this state by heating it on the stove, or in the microwave.

Every good town needs a good city council to ensure that the proper decisions are being made, and it will continue to be a safe place to live for its citizens.  Instead of the standard city hall, I would allow the citizens to be the members of city hall.  Various suggestion boxes would be placed throughout the town, and whenever the citizens are unhappy with something, they can come to me directely, or write what is bothering them on a piece of paper that will be deposited in the box.  The issues will then be discussed at the next town hall meeting.  I believe this method is not only more organized, it will allow the citizens to share their thoughts and feelings about what could be done to improve the town.  This will help me to provide the citizens with everything they need to have a fulfilling life in my town.

Family, Friends, and Good Food

After my friends and I graduated from high school on a rainy evening in mid-May, we felt that we had accomplished a major milestone in our lives.  Now, the uncertain event of college loomed ahead in the near future, but for now our focus was on the upcoming summer, and how to make it unforgettable.  After cheering, throwing our caps into the air on the steps of the Rosary Cathedral, and some last pictures, my friend Amanda thought it would be a good idea to meet at Buffalo Wild Wings to celebrate.  Amanda is the type of person who always has ideas about something fun to do, especially if it involves a get-together with friends.  Natually, I said yes, because I love spending time with my family and friends.  Besides, who dosen't like to eat insanely spicy food, in the company of your closest relatives and friends?  Unfortunately, Maria and Stephanie were busy with their families, so they could not make it.  However, Amanda, her sister and her boyfriend, and my uncle, aunt, and family could all meet each other for a late dinner.  It was fun to talk about absolutely nothing important, while stuffing ourselves to the limit on the good food, to celebrate our success and achievement.

Usually before an event that is planned at the last minute, my family tends to rush around trying to get everyone together for the upcoming car ride, to our destination.  Unfortunaetely, this means locating everyone, which was not easy to do, especially in the packed, hot, and humid cathedral.  For some reason, especially after a major function, everyone decides at the same time that they want to leave, which means a race to the exit.  As my family and I waited in the endless line to exit through the cathedral doors, my brother suddenly went missing, a talent he has mastered over the years.  Becoming slightly annoyed, I set off into the shoving crowd to find him. 

When I finally found him I said, "Where did you go?  We need to meat Amanda at the restaurant." 

Naturally, for no apparent reason he got mad and said, "I couldn't find you!  What do you mean you couldn't find me?"

Setting our annoyances aside, we managed to find the rest our family, and headed over to Buffalo Wild Wings.  Being together with my family is nice, but to much "togetherness" can make anyone testy, especially since we had to drive in the rain, which for some reason makes more people drive less cautiously on the road, and we were all tired after the two hour mass service.  We did manage to make it to the restaurant, despite these minor inconveninces.  My aunt and uncle were already waiting at a table by the time we got there, but at least we made it in time for the celebration.

Before the food got to our table, my Aunt Judy noticed that some little kids were trying to win a crane game, but they were continuing to loose.  She suggested that my brother should try and help them win their coveted prize:  a bouncy ball.  Not only did my brother try, and win one ball for the group of kids, he won two more for the others.  He then proceeded, to win a fourth ball, and give it to another little girl sitting at the neighboring table.  Everyone thought that it was nice of my brother to win those little kids the prizes they wanted.  In addition, the kids were so happy with their new prizes, and proceeded to bounce their balls all over the restuarant.  Luckily, nothing was knocked over, and everyon continued to have a good time.  Later in the summer, every time my brother and I would go to Buffalo Wild Wings, he would try to win more balls from the crane machine, and was successful almost every time.  Unfortunately, now I have two bouncy balls sitting in my closet, taking up space from not being used, but it was nice of my brother to win them for me.

After my brother was finished being a hero, our food finally arrived.  Naturally, when I am with my friends I tend to talk more than I want to eat, so I grabbed our digital camera and started to show Amanda, her sister, and her sister's boyfriend the pictures we took last summer while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains.  What started this conversation was when Amanda mentioned that she had been to Kentucky a few years ago, but had not gone any further toward the Appalachian Mountains.  I then told Amanda, that Kentucky is just the foothills, and the mountains become much bigger as you proceed through Kentucky, and further into Tennessee.  Amanda was in disbelief, until I showed her the pictures, which shocked her completely.  She did not realize how big the mountains become as you proceed through the states.  It was nice to show everyone the pictures, because it was like sharing my experience with them.

After a while, everyone was beginning to get tired, so we decided that it was time to wrap up the celebrations and head home.  Natually, when any group of people get together that enjoy each other's company, it takes forever to say good-bye.  Usually our good-bye conversation go something like this:

     "Well, I guess we better get going," my mom said, exausted from the festivities.

     "The food was good, but I have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow, so I guess we will see you guys soon," my dad usually says.

It will continue on like this for a while, usually because someone will bring up another topic, and saying good-bye gets put off, until it gets late.  When we finally wrapped up the party, everyone promised that we should get together again soon, and my friend and I made plans to see each other over the long summer vacation.  Everyone got along great, even though we were all very tired when the party was finally over.  It was nice to get together with the people that I am close to, and just sit down for a while, talk, and eat some good food.  I believe that even though I do not always get along with these people, it is still fun to get together and just have a good time.  The only annoying part is how long it can take to say good-bye, and nobody realizes the time.  Despite this fact, it is still fun to talk to everyone, and celebrate our successes together.